Steering troubles with Toyota Camry

The power steering in my Toyota Camry suddenly stopped working and now cuts in and out. Although the wheel is hard to turn at times, it does turn. The dealer says I need a new steering shaft and that it costs $1400 - but it seems to me like it’s a problem with the power steering, not the steering. Any thoughts?

Check with Toyota as this may be included with other recalls of the same nature.